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'Our main goal is to be seen'

Expect bus-loads of protesters from Timmins when Xstrata's top executives are in Sudbury on Thursday to officially open the company's Nickel Rim South project.

"Our main goal is to be seen," said Dennis Couvrette, president of Canadian Auto Workers Local 599. "This is going to be a peaceful rally. We're not breaking any laws.

"But we plan to meet with these guys at every stop, taking a stand to ensure mining resources stay in Northern Ontario."

Members of the CAW and the Save Our Resources Coalition are inviting Timmins residents on the road trip to make their voices heard about the closure of Xstrata Copper's Kidd Creek Metallurgical Site on May 1.

The shutdown will eliminate 670 jobs.

The work previously done at the metallurgical site will be transferred to the Xstrata mill in Rouyn-Noranda, Que.

Mick Davis, CEO at Xstrata, chief financial officer Trevor Reid, executive general manager Thref Moraitis and Xstrata Nickel CEO Ian Pearce will be in Sudbury on Thursday for the Nickel Rim South ceremonies.

Nickel Rim South is Xstrata Nickel's only mine currently operating in the Sudbury area. It is expected to extend Xstrata's presence in the Sudbury Basin for at least 20 years.

The rally will feature representatives from other unions in the region, including speakers from North Bay and Sudbury, as well as a barbecue for participants.

"We hope to be able to have the opportunity to speak with Minister Gravelle and these executives from Xstrata," said Couvrette.

If the rally does not go as planned, the group has other plans to be heard, including ads.

"We need to ask (Premier Dalton) McGuinty what he is doing for Ontario," said Couvrette. "I know time is running out, but we're not giving up. We're going to keep looking at ways to benefit not just Northe